Compass?

[jediknight36]

So, the aftermarket ones wont really work no matter what car they are in?

[donnyonee]

i bought 1 of the very small battery operated 1s from pepboys, its only 8 pts. otherwise ok.
http://www.drillspot.com/products/42..._Mount_Compass

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by Old smart

I'm retired now, but yes I have, including an old K&E vernier sextant similar to the pictured. I haven't used my present Zeis micrometer drum sextant since retiring.

Sigh...
I just have a cheapie Davis. Good enough for the work it did, I suppose...

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by jediknight36

So, the aftermarket ones wont really work no matter what car they are in?

They will, but not well enough to be worth the money and effort. Even the remote OEM electronic flux gate in my Outback only reads N-NE-E-SE-.... More of a whiz-bang than anything really useful. Money spent on a GPS is better spent, though the directional function will only work when in motion.

[headless]

If you have a watch with hands and the sun is out you don't need a compass.

If you line up the sun with the little hand that points to the hour, then due south is halfway between the sun and 12, trust me it works, it is an old orienteering trick, so you can find your way around without a compass.

It does'nt work at night though
If the stars are out, look for the big dipper, and the 2 end stars point up to the Pole Star which is due North.
I need to get out more, I'm so lonely.
Ellis

[RVGRINGO]

Originally Posted by headless

If the stars are out, look for the big dipper, and the 2 end stars point up to the Pole Star which is due North.Ellis

Yup, that works, until you cruise into the southern hemisphere!
I'm glad to know there are still some orienteering and navigating folks out there. I used a 1942 US Navy surplus (reconditioned & calibrated) in the 1970s when I sailed my schooner from Maine to the South Pacific with my wife and kids. Great memories.

In our smart, I carry a cheap magnetic compass and simply have to put down the window and hold it away from the car or get out and step further away for less interference.

I still marvel at the sailors who will depend on going to sea with only electronic devices. When electronic $hit happens, you need a sextant, chronometer, almanacs and the knowledge of how to use them.

[smartHHO]

I have my radar detector with built in compass. You just make 2 complete U turns in the parking lot and it is calibrated. Thus Radar and compass all in one. Problem solved for two issues. LOL

[mdfortwoguy]

When I got my VUE, I went for broke and ordered everything on it - one of which was an auto-dimming mirror with compass and temp readout. At first, the compass was little more than a nicety - but especially moving from Ohio to DC - I learned to use it, and really missed it in the smart when I started driving it all of the time.

My GPS is hard-wired into the smart, and it comes on and off with the ignition. I keep it mounted most of the time - I park in a controlled access garage here at home and at work - it's easy to take down when I am not using it though. When I am not using it for navigation, the map is nice to have up, and it also serves as a secondary speedometer and has my much-missed compass in the corner - in addition to speed and red light camera warnings.